About this project

I've been working in small businesses for about 10 years, and running a small label called "We're All Mad Here" part time for the last couple of years.

My dream is to have my own studio and be able to focus on designing products full time. Last year, I began adding laser-cut jewellery to my range, which has been a wonderful way of producing unique and high quality items.

So far I've been somewhat limited with what I can create for a few reasons:

Materials - generally I can only use what the laser cutting companies provide.

Size - is limited to their unit sizes, and also impacts shipping costs.

Design - the more complicated or intricate a design is, the longer it takes to cut, which increases the price.

But if I had my own laser cutter, I could:

use a wider range of materials, such as frosted, transparent, and two-tone acrylics, and a variety of beautiful woods.

test prototypes and experiment with raster and vector etching.

add new products such as: more cake stand designs of different sizes and shapes; cake toppers, wall hangings and artwork; small toys; and possibly side tables and decorative shelf brackets.

wholesale my designs and take them to trade fairs and wedding expos.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

My long term plan is for other local designers/makers to be able to use the laser cutter as well. The main idea is similar to Fab Lab in that people can come in and use the machine for free and prototype whatever they want, but if they want to go into production ie. have hours or days of cutting they want to do, then a fee would be involved.

I know that I won't need to run the laser cutter all the time, so I want people to come in and use it, then we can all 'level-up' our creative businesses and designs together!

If the goal is reached, I will approach Renew Adelaide for a studio space, to get community access happening sooner rather than later.

PROCESS

Everything begins as a sketch. I find it best to draw at the size the final piece will be, to avoid making delicate lines too thin/weak to be cut with the laser. Each tier of the Lace Edge Cupcake Stand was actually drawn individually as opposed to scaled up or down from one set of artwork - it's worth it to avoid awkward design problems down the track.

The first sketch from November 2013, just getting ideas and shapes down.

It's then turned into vector artwork and set up for laser cutting!

I like to leave the paper masking on while it's being cut - it protects the finish from possible burn marks or scratches.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

I actually wasn't going to include this bit on the page, but apparently it's more relevant/important than I thought! So here goes: *ahem*

My long term plan is for other local designers/makers to be able to use the laser cutter as well. The main idea is similar to Fab Lab in that people can come in and use the machine for free and prototype whatever they want, but if they want to go into production ie. have hours or days of cutting they want to do, then a fee would be involved.

This has actually always been a part of my plan, because I know that I won't need to run the laser cutter all the time, and I want people to come in and use it, so that we can all 'level-up' our creative businesses and designs together!

REWARDS

All the cake stands come flat-packed, and you can choose from black, white, or clear. Because they are cut from acrylic, they'll last for years.

These are special Kickstarter-only prices!

WHERE DO THE FUNDS GO?

Good question! Of the $30,000:

$3000 (10%) goes to Kickstarter & processing fees.

$20,000 to purchase the laser cutter and extractor.

$7000 for acrylic, packaging materials, and other expenses.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I PLEDGE?

You won't be charged straight away - that happens when the project is funded, so just make sure you have the funds available in early September! After it closes, I will send out a Backer Survey to gather information such as your preferred mailing address, and what colour you would like your stand cut from.

I BACKED YOU! WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY REWARD/S?

Thank you so much! I have made a rough but realistic timeline for everyone here:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUGUST

Kickstarter launches.

SEPTEMBER

Kickstarter project closes.

Payments are then processed by Kickstarter.

OCTOBER

Laser cutter, extractor, and materials ordered.

Equipment arrives, is installed and tested.

Get a big bow to put on the laser cutter and take a photo!

Production begins.

NOVEMBER 2014 - FEB 2015

Production continues until all rewards are fulfilled.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now, I know that 3 months seems like a long time just making the rewards, but I'm well aware that I'll still be working my normal job to pay rent and all that jazz. So the stands will be cut at night time.

You won't necessarily have to wait until February to get your reward though! I'll be shipping them every week as they are completed, so the earlier you pledge, the earlier you'll get your amazing thank you (in the form of a cake stand) in the mail!

HOW BIG ARE THEY?

Ooh good one! Here are the measurements:

Mini Cake Stand:

15cm plate, 11.5cm tall (5.9 inch plate, 4.5 inches tall)

Cake Stand:

28.5cm plate, 14cm tall (11 inch plate, 5.5 inches tall)

Cupcake Stand:

Largest tier is 29cm/11.4 inches, and 35cm/13.7 inches tall

Fits about 18 cupcakes - possibly a few more, I haven't tried squishing them too much yet!

~~~~~~~

If I can get my own laser cutter, I would be able to offer larger stands that fit more cupcakes and treats on them, I have so many ideas!

I LOVE YOUR PROJECT, BUT I DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY!

I know the feeling all too well - I see so many amazing things on the internet that I want! But if you love the project, please take a moment to share it on facebook, pinterest, tumblr, or whichever website you love to frequent; it's what I do to support artists and cool creative projects as well. And who knows? Maybe someone will get one that you can use, or surprise gift it to you! You may need to do a bit of *hint hint* *wink wink* *nudge nudge-ing* though :)

ARE THERE MORE PHOTOS TO GAZE UPON?

Yes! While I must stress that I am not a pro baker, food stylist, or photographer (my strengths lie elsewhere!) I do have some photos in a Flickr account if you want to have a look.

Risks and challenges

Once I have the laser cutter up and running, fulfilling orders will be smooth sailing. The only hiccups I foresee are:

- suppliers running out of acrylic, or only having part of the required amount in stock.
- the laser cutter taking an extra week or two to receive, and set up.
- me falling ill, I've been known to work myself too hard before!

But none of these would stop orders from being completed, only delayed a bit.

FAQ

Rewards

You selected

$5 reward

1 backer

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ THANK YOU ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Get your name on a great big mandala that I will make after the project is completed, to remind myself of every person who helped my goal.
++ With bonus internet high fives.

Estimated delivery:Oct 2014

You selected

$25 reward

16 backers

~ ~ ~ ~ MINI CAKE STAND ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A sweet souvenir for backers of the project, and a nice way to display small cakes or trinkets. Choose from Black, White, or Clear.
+ your name on the Thank you mandala (of course!)
+ internet squishes

$110 reward

2 backers

~ ~ ~ ~ CAKE STANDS x 2 ~ ~ ~ ~
Want to get a couple of these even cheaper? Or one for you, one for a friend? It's a good deal, meet you 'round the back, you'll be hooked :D + Your name on the Thank You Mandala, and a toast in your honour. Comes in Black, White, or Clear. International postage includes tracking.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2015

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

$150 reward

2 backers

~ LACE EDGE CUPCAKE STAND ~ ~
The pièce de résistance! Finely detailed, this will attract oohs and ahhs, adding elegance to any table spread or lolly buffet. ++ Your name on the Thank You Mandala, and a pat on the back for having exquisite taste and supporting independent designers! International postage includes tracking.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2015

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

$270 reward

0 backers

~ ~ ~ CUPCAKE STANDS x 2 ~ ~ ~ Have a lot of cupcakes? Or just want it in a couple of colours? Get two for $135 each. ++ Your name on the Thank You Mandala, and a hearty handshake! International postage includes tracking.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2015

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

$750 reward

0 backers

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ WHOLESALE ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Do you have a event hire or cake decorating supply store? Get 5 Cake Stands and 5 Cupcake Stands and get them cheaper. Choose your colours, and sell or hire them out! ++++ Your name on the Thank You Mandala, and the adoration of everyone who asks "Ooh, where'd you get those from?" and you reply "I backed an amazing Kickstarter." It's a good feeling.
International postage includes tracking.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2015

Ships anywhere in the world

Funding period

Jul 31, 2014 - Sep 4, 2014
(35 days)

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